ALP branch-stacking (letter)

by John Kavanagh

News Weekly, June 12, 2010

Sir,

The revelations of former ministerial staffer Mr Costas Socratous regarding ALP branch-stacking in the northern and western Melbourne suburbs confirm what many have previously suspected, namely that this practice is rife within the Victorian ALP.

His admissions confirm that we are being represented by people whose sole interest is one of self-interest.

Instead of ALP preselection ensuring that the interests of the electorate are well served, by ensuring that the best candidates are chosen, it simply relies on who has done the most effective branch-stacking.

It is therefore no wonder that we in Labor's heartland are being represented by such an unimpressive lot.

The message is a clear one. Victoria's current state Labor government is one that takes treats its constituency with utter contempt, and fortunately its days in power are numbered.

John Kavanagh,Essendon, Vic.(DLP lead candidate for Victoria's Northern Metropolitan Region)